Suction box cover



F. T. GATKE SUCTION BOX COVER Filed Feb. 20, 1964 INVENTOR. flan/L Z GaZ/Ze, BY 1m W/MWMZ/Q 5 United States Patent SUCTION BOX COVER Frank T. Gatke, River Forest, [1]., assignor to Gatke Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 346,306 3 Claims. (Cl. 162-374) This invention relates to paper making apparatus, and more particularly to improvements in the covers for the suction boxes ordinarily employed in such apparatus.

The invention is particularly well suited for use with a paper making machine which uses a so-called Fourdrinier wire to convey wet paper pulp over a series of suction boxes. It should be understood, however, that the invention is also applicable to other kinds of paper making or pulp treating machines.

In making paper by a machine of the type mentioned, suitable fibers are first dispersed or beaten in water to form a pulp. The pulp is then flowed onto a continuously moving fine mesh wire belt, which belt constitutes the conventional Fourdrinier wire. The pulp carrying wire then passes over a series of suction boxes, which boxes are disposed below the wire and have slotted and perforated covers in flatwise engagement with the underside of the wire, whereby suction applied through the boxes effects removal of the water from the pulp on the wire.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved suction box cover which is extremely strong and durable and yet permits very rapid and thorough withdrawal of the water from the pulp.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide in a suction box cover of the type characterized by a plurality of parallel spaced rails defining suction slots therebetween, a number of rings for bracing the rails in parallel spaced relation.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide in a suction box cover of the type characterized by a plurality of parallel spaced rails defining suction slots therebetween, a number of rings for bracing the rails in parallel spaced relation, wherein the rings are secured to the rails in a unique manner obviating the use of special fastening means.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification disclosing a preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a broken top plan view of a suction box cover embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the rings for bracing the rails of the suction box cover; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, bottom plan view of the suction box cover showing the circular pattern of notches for snugly receiving one of the rings.

Referring now to the drawings, the suction box cover, generally designated 10, includes a pair of parallel spaced side rails 11 and 12 connected at their opposite ends to apertured or perforated end plates 14 and 15. The side rails, which may be formed from a plurality of short rail members secured in end-to-end relation by suitable means such as cemented and doweled connections, are connected to the end plates in any well known manner. A plurality of parallel spaced intermediate rails 16 are disposed between the side rails and define a number of suction slots 18 which extend longitudinally of the cover for substantially the entire length thereof. Intermediate rails 16, which may be formed by joining a number of rail members in end-to-end relation by suitable means, have their opposite ends received in notches formed in the inner edges of end plates 14 and 15, the ends of the intermediate 3,266,977 Patented August 16, 1966 See rails being secured in these notches in any well known manner. As noted in FIG. 2, the intermediate rails have their sides tapering inwardly from top to bottom for aiding the downward flow of water which is brought about by the suction effect created in the suction box.

The direction of movement of the pulp carrying wire belt relative to the suction box cover is indicated by the direction of the arrows in FIG. 1. It will be understood that the suction box cover is sealingly secured in any suitable manner to the upper open face of a suction box, which box has outlet means connected to a source of suction.

As the suction box cover is quite long relative to its width, it will be appreciated that brace means are desirable for generally adding to the rigidity of the entire suction box cover and for bracing or maintaining the rails in parallel spaced relation. The present invention concerns itself with such brace means.

The brace means include a plurality of rings 20 which are secured to the rails of the suction box cover in spaced relation longitudinally of the latter. Side rails 11 and 12 and intermediate rails 16 are notched out in their bottom portions in circular patterns which are spaced longitudinally of the suction box cover. The notches in the bottom portions of side rails 11 and 12 are indicated 21 and 22, and the notches in the bottom portions of the intermediate rails are indicated 24. It will be noted that notches 21 and 22 are formed in the side rails in spaced relation from the sides of these rails. This is brought about by providing the circular pattern of notches with a diameter which is generally the same as the width of the suction box cover as measured between center lines of the side rails thereof.

All notches are peaked or V-shaped at their upper portions to accommodate the peaked upper portion of ring 20. This peaked or V-shaped upper portion of the ring 20 provides inclined ring faces 25 and 26 for aiding in the downward flow of water through slots '18 which is brought about by the action of the suction box. As is apparent from FIG. 2, the notches are dimensioned so that the rings fitted therein have their lower surfaces co-planar With the lower surfaces of the rails of the suction box cover. Rings 20 fit snugly in associated notches provided in rails 11, 12 and 16. Preferably, rings 20 are cemented in place in the notches.

The number and spacing of the rings for a particular suction box cover will depend upon, among other things, the length and width of the cover. Rings 20 act in a unique manner for imparting overall rigidity to the suction box cover and for securely bracing all rails of the suction box cover in parallel spaced relation. Because the ring receiving notches in the side rails are spaced from opposite sides of the latter, the engagement between the rings and the side rails braces the latter against movement in either direction laterally or transversely of the rails. As each intermediate rail receives each ring in two notches which are spaced longitudinally of the rail and which are arcuate along their lengths, each intermediate rail is securely braced against transverse movement by the physical contact between the rail and the ring. In other words, the snug fit between each ringand its associated notches which are curved and disposed generally diagonally with respect to the rails (except for the center rail if an odd number of intermediate rails are provided) serves securely to brace all rail members even if the ring is not cemented in place or'secured to the rails by means of special fasteners, for example.

The suction box cover including the bracing rings there of may be formed of a molded synthetic resin laminated fabric composition. A preferred composition utilizes a plurality of layers of fabric impregnated with any well known synthetic resin and molded under suitable pressure and temperature. Obviously, other fabrics or materials may be used in forming the suction box cover. The notches in the rail members of the suction box cover are preferably formed by machining the suction box cover in substantially assembled form.

While the invention has been shown in but one form it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not to be so limited. The invention is susceptible of incorporation i'n other forms coming equally within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a suction box cover of the type characterized by a plurality of parallel spaced rails defining suction slots therebetween, the improvement which comprises, a plurality of rings for bracing said rails in parallel spaced relation, each of said rings being secured to said rails in a plane parallel with the upper surface of the cover.

2. In a suction box cover of the type characterized by a pair of side rails and a plurality of intermediate rails disposed therebetween, wherein all rails are in parallel spaced relation defining suction slots therebetween, the improvement which comprises, said side rails and said intermediate rails being notched in their bottom surfaces in a number of circular patterns which are spaced longitudinally of the cover and have diameters generally the same as the width of the cover as measured between center lines of the side rails thereof, and rings corresponding in number and size to said patterns snugly fitted in associated notches.

3. In a suction box cover of the type characterized by a pair of side rails and a plurality of intermediate rails disposed therebetween, wherein all rails are in parallel spaced relation defining suction slots therebetween, the improvement which comprises, said side rails and said intermediate rails being notched in their bottom surfaces in a number of circular patterns which are spaced longitudinally of the cover and have diameters generally the same as the width of the cover as measured between center lines of the side rails thereof, the notches in the side rails being arcuate along their lengths and in spaced relation from opposite sides of the side rails, and rings corresponding in number and size to said patterns snugly fitted in associated notches.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,740,332 4/1956 Van Ryzin 162-374 2,928,465 3/1960 Wrist 162374 3,194,729 7/1965 Robinson 162374 DONALL H. SYLVESTER, Primary Examiner.

J. H. NEWSOME, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A SUCTION BOX COVER OF THE TYPE CHARACTERIZED BY A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL SPACED RAILS DEFINING SUCTION SLOTS THEREBETWEEN, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES, A PLURALITY OF RINGS FOR BRACING SAID RAILS IN PARALLEL SPACED RELATION EACH OF SAID RINGS BEING SECURED TO SAID RAILS IN A PLANE PARALLEL WITH THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE COVER. 